Government of Keralam. to pay compensation of ₹12.5 million to the custodial torture victim Muthanga

Image for representation purposes. | Photo credit: File

The Kerala government has imposed a sanction of ₹12.5 lakh as compensation to KK Surendran, a teacher who was subjected to custodial torture after his arrest in connection with the 2003 Muthanga agitation.

He also ordered the recovery of compensation from the personal assets of two former police officers who were responsible for his illegal arrest and torture.

Pursuant to the judgment delivered by the Additional District Court-II, Kalpetta, the government has decided not to proceed with further legal proceedings, despite the advice of the government counsel to appeal against the judgment.

The decision brings some relief to Mr Surendran after a 23-year legal battle over his arrest, torture in custody and the injuries and damage to his reputation he suffered.

According to the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the compensation will bear interest at 6% per annum from the date of the original claim until the amount is paid in full.

The complainant recently met Chief Minister VD Satheesan and urged him not to delay justice by filing another appeal and ensure that the compensation awarded by the court is paid.

The government also directed the state police chief to initiate steps to recover the amount from the personal property of P. Viswambaran, former sub-inspector, and V. Devaraj, former circle inspector, Sulthan Bathery police station.

The case dates back to February 22, 2003, when Mr. Surendran, then an associate professor at the District Institute of Education (DIET) in Sulthan Bathery, was taken into custody in connection with the Muthanga tribal agitation.

The police forcefully removed him from the staff room, dragged him across the floor in front of colleagues and students, and took him away in a police jeep without giving a reason for his arrest.

He was subjected to physical torture at the Sulthan Bathery police station, where he was “beaten on both ears and passed out, stomped on with booted feet while he was sitting on the platform of the jeep and repeatedly punched in the stomach. He was denied food and water and had blood coming from his ears,” according to a government order.

The order also states that Mr. Surendran was not brought before a judge within the stipulated 24 hours and that his family was not properly informed of his arrest. He was subsequently implicated in three criminal cases registered in connection with the Muthanga incident.

However, the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation proved him right and he was removed from the list of accused in all three cases.

Published – 11 October 2026 15:35 IST